Ross NK-VRC User manual

NK-VRC
Virtual Routing Core
User Guide

NK-VRC Virtual Routing Core · User Guide
• Ross Part Number: 9807DR-1009-03
• Release Date: March 25, 2013. Printed in Canada.
The information contained in this guide is subject to change without notice or obligation.
Copyright
© 2013 Ross Video Limited. All rights reserved.
This work is proprietary and confidential to Ross Video Limited, its subsidiaries and its other affiliated corporations
and may not be copied, distributed, sold or otherwise used or relied upon without the express written permission of
Ross Video Limited. Reproduction or reverse engineering of copyrighted software is prohibited.
Patents
This product is protected by the following US Patents: 4,205,346; 5,115,314; 5,280,346; 5,561,404; 7,034,886;
7,508,455; 7,602,446; 7,834,886; 7,914,332. This product is protected by the following Canadian Patents: 2039277;
1237518; 1127289. Other patents pending.
Notice
The material in this manual is furnished for informational use only. It is subject to change without notice and should
not be construed as commitment by Ross Video Limited. Ross Video Limited assumes no responsibility or liability
for errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual.
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• is a registered trademark of Ross Video Limited.
• Ross, ROSS, and ROSS®, are registered trademarks of Ross Video Limited.
• Microsoft, MSN, and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.
• All other product names and any registered and unregistered trademarks mentioned in this guide are used for
identification purposes only and remain the exclusive property of their respective owners.

Important Regulatory and Safety Notices
Before using this product and any associated equipment, refer to the Important Safety Instructions listed below so
as to avoid personal injury and to prevent product damage.
Products may require specific equipment, and/or installation procedures be carried out to satisfy certain regulatory
compliance requirements. Notices have been included in this publication to call attention to these Specific
requirements.
Symbol Meanings
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the product. Failure to heed this information may present a risk of damage
or injury to persons or equipment.
Warning The symbol with the word “Warning” within the equipment manual indicates a
potentially hazardous situation, which if not avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
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hazardous situation, which if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. It may
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Notice The symbol with the word “Notice” within the equipment manual indicates a situation,
which if not avoided, may result in major or minor equipment damage or a situation,
which could place the equipment in a non-compliant operating state.
Warning
Hazardous
Voltages
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of shock to persons.
ESD
Susceptibility This symbol is used to alert the user that an electrical or electronic device or assembly is
susceptible to damage from an ESD event.
Important Safety Instructions
Warning
1. Read these instructions.
2. Follow all instructions and heed all warnings.
3. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
4. The equipment’s external power supply AC appliance inlets are the means to
disconnect the product from the AC Mains and must remain readily operable for
this purpose.
5. To avoid the risk of electrical shock, completely disconnect the apparatus from the
supply AC appliance inlets prior to servicing.
6. The safe operation of this product requires that a protective earth connection be
provided. A grounding conductor in the equipment's external power supply line
cord provides this protective earth. To reduce the risk of electrical shock to the
operator and service personnel, this ground conductor must be connected to an
earthed ground.
7. Indoor Use: WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose
this apparatus to rain or moisture.

EMC Notices
US
US FCC Part 15 Sub Part B
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A Digital device, pursuant to part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a Commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
CANADA
This Class “A” digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numerique de la classe “A” est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
EUROPE
This equipment is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Council
Directives 2006/95/EC & 2004/108/EC.
INTERNATIONAL
This equipment has been tested to CISPR 22:1997 along with amendments A1:2000 and A2:2002 and found to
comply with the limits for a Class A Digital device.
Australian/New Zealand (RVA)
C-tick approval
The equipment meets the requirements of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Limits & Methods
of Measurement of Radio Interference Characteristics of Information Technology Equipment (AS/NZS CISPR22)).
Warranty and Repair Policy
The product is backed by a comprehensive one-year warranty on all components.
If an item becomes defective within the warranty period Ross will repair or replace the defective item, as
determined solely by Ross.
Warranty repairs will be conducted at Ross, with all shipping FOB Ross dock. If repairs are conducted at the
customer site, reasonable out-of-pocket charges will apply. At the discretion of Ross, and on a temporary loan basis,
plug in circuit boards or other replacement parts may be supplied free of charge while defective items undergo
repair. Return packing, shipping, and special handling costs are the responsibility of the customer.
This warranty is void if products are subjected to misuse, neglect, accident, improper installation or application, or
unauthorized modification.
In no event shall Ross Video Limited be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages
(including loss of profit). Implied warranties, including that of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose,
are expressly limited to the duration of this warranty.
This warranty is TRANSFERABLE to subsequent owners, subject to Ross’ notification of change of ownership.
Notice Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Ross Video Ltd. could
void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Notice This is a Class A product. In domestic environments, this product may cause radio interference,
in which case the user may have to take adequate measures.
Notice Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Ross Video
Limited could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Extended Warranty
For customers that require a longer warranty period, Ross offers an extended warranty plan to extend the standard
warranty period by one year increments. For more information, contact your regional sales manager.
Environmental Information
The equipment that you purchased required the extraction and use of natural resources for its production. It may
contain hazardous substances that could impact health and the environment.
To avoid the potential release of those substances into the environment and to diminish the need for the extraction
of natural resources, Ross Video encourages you to use the appropriate take-back systems. These systems will reuse
or recycle most of the materials from your end-of-life equipment in an environmentally friendly and health
conscious manner.
The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol invites you to use these systems.
If you need more information on the collection, reuse, and recycling systems, please contact your local or regional
waste administration.
You can also contact Ross Video for more information on the environmental performances of our products.

Company Address
Ross Video Limited
8 John Street
Iroquois, Ontario
Canada, K0E 1K0
Ross Video Incorporated
P.O. Box 880
Ogdensburg, New York
USA 13669-0880
Ross Video Australia
Unit 24, 49 Corporate Boulevard
Bayswater VIC 3153
Australia
General Business Office:
Fax:
(+1) 613 •652 •4886
(+1) 613 •652 •4425
Technical Support: (+1) 613 •652 •4886
After Hours Emergency: (+1) 613 •349 •0006
E-mail for Technical Support: [email protected]
E-mail for General Information: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.rossvideo.com

NK-VRC User Guide (v03) Contents • i
Contents
Introduction 1
Overview of this Guide..........................................................................................................................................1-1
Overview 2
NK-VRC Features and Components......................................................................................................................2-1
Typical System Equipment....................................................................................................................................2-1
System Overview...................................................................................................................................................2-2
Resource Management...........................................................................................................................................2-3
How the Control Panels, Devices, and Routing Switchers Communicate ............................................................2-4
Installation 3
Unpacking the Equipment......................................................................................................................................3-1
General...................................................................................................................................................................3-1
Installing the NK-VRC ..........................................................................................................................................3-1
Installing DashBoard .............................................................................................................................................3-2
Connecting to the NK-IPS in the Routing Switcher System .................................................................................3-2
Checking the Software Version of a Device..........................................................................................................3-2
Upgrading the Software Version of the NK-VRC.................................................................................................3-3
Setting up the NK-VRC 4
Overview................................................................................................................................................................4-1
Implementing Your System Plan...........................................................................................................................4-1
The NK-VRC Device Tab .....................................................................................................................................4-3
Sending the Configuration to a Device..................................................................................................................4-4
SmartPaste..............................................................................................................................................................4-5
Setting Up Virtual Routing....................................................................................................................................4-6
Creating Labels for Virtual Sources and Destinations...........................................................................................4-6
Mapping Physical Inputs/Outputs to Virtual Sources/Destinations and Defining Classes....................................4-7
Configuring Resources.........................................................................................................................................4-11
Configuring Park Sources....................................................................................................................................4-12
Configuring Resource Rules................................................................................................................................4-13
Configuring Control Panel/Device Priorities.......................................................................................................4-14
Setting Up Machine Control................................................................................................................................4-14
Saving the NK-VRC Configuration.....................................................................................................................4-15
Resource Management Setup Examples 5
Single Router Configuration..................................................................................................................................5-1
Two Router Configuration.....................................................................................................................................5-3
Resource and Panel Priorities 6
Operating the NK-VRC 7
General...................................................................................................................................................................7-1
LED Indicators.......................................................................................................................................................7-1
Resource Usage......................................................................................................................................................7-2
Resetting the NK-VRC ..........................................................................................................................................7-2
Troubleshooting A

ii • Contents NK-VRC User Guide (v03)

NK-VRC User Guide (v03) Introduction • 1–1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Ross Video NK-VRC Virtual Routing Core. This device provides virtual routing and
resource management capability to an NK Series routing switcher system. With Ross Video’s reputation for
delivering leading-edge routing switcher equipment and our unsurpassed level of customer service and support, you
can look forward to many years of reliable broadcasting. Please read this guide thoroughly and retain it for future
reference.
Overview of this Guide
This guide is for system administrators, installers, and operators of the Ross Video NK-VRC. It provides
instructions on how to connect the NK-VRC to your routing switcher system, how to configure the NK-VRC using
DashBoard software, and how to operate it. It assumes that you are experienced with general broadcast concepts,
and that you are familiar with the planning requirements for a routing switcher system.

1–2 • Introduction NK-VRC User Guide (v03)

NK-VRC User Guide (v03) Overview • 2–1
Overview
NK-VRC Features and Components
The NK-VRC Virtual Routing Core provides the following features:
• virtual routing for a complex NK Series routing switcher system
• up to 1000 virtual source mappings to physical inputs
• up to 1000 virtual destination mappings to physical outputs
• resource management
• four status LEDs for status/error indications
• compact 1 RU design
• software is fully upgradeable using DashBoard.
• slim modular design integrates with NK Series devices via T-Bus using straight CAT5 Ethernet cables
T-Bus Control System
The NK-VRC is connected to other devices via the T-Bus Control System, a multi-drop RJ-45 control system
supporting collision detection and half-duplex communication. The T-Bus Control System minimizes cable
connections between devices, acting as both a reliable means to provide phantom power to devices and as the
communications line.
The Heartbeat
The NK-IPS indicates its status using a pulsating front panel LED called the Heartbeat.
Figure 2.1 Heartbeat display
Typical System Equipment
The NK-VRC is used when you require virtual routing or resource management. Using DashBoard, you can map
inputs and outputs from routing switchers through to the NK-VRC for control via any remote control panel. These
parameters can be saved in a configuration file (.cbd) and sent to an NK-VRC at any time using DashBoard. The
SmartPaste function can also be used to quickly duplicate a configuration file or device configuration to another
device. Therefore, if an NK-VRC is used in a number of different operating scenarios, the configuration can be
changed easily and quickly.
Typical equipment in an NK Series routing switcher system where an NK-VRC would be used includes:
• one or more NK Series routing switchers
• an NK-IPS Network Bridge
• control panels and devices (i.e. RCP-NKM, RCP-NKQ, NK-3RD)
• a PC running DashBoard
• standard source and destination equipment (i.e. cameras, VTRs, servers)
• optionally, one or more external resources (i.e. openGear, ADC, DAC, upconverter)
If you are connecting the PC directly to the NK-IPS, use a crossover CAT5 Ethernet cable.
If you are connecting the PC indirectly via an Ethernet switch to the NK-IPS, use a straight-through CAT5
Ethernet cable.
LED

2–2 • Overview NK-VRC User Guide (v03)
The NK-IPS and PC with DashBoard are only required for setting up the configuration file, then sending this to
the device. However, you can use the NK Switchboard feature in DashBoard to control and monitor a routing
switcher system.
System Overview
A routing switcher system may use distributed control across the Internet, a LAN, or a VPN. The routing switcher
system shown in Figure 2.2 has been simplified. The NK-VRC enables you to map physical inputs and outputs
across multiple router levels to a virtual source or destination. For example, in Figure 2.2, Camera 1 provides
inputs to the SDI router level and the AES/EBU router level. If you map these two inputs to the same virtual source
(call this Camera 1), you can switch both levels with a single switch request. Without virtual routing, this can be
achieved with breakaways, but only if all routers have their inputs and outputs mapped 1:1. This is a simple
example of virtual routing. You can build up a complex map of several different physical devices that become one
virtual device. When a switch request is made for a virtual device, all the physical devices that are mapped to the
virtual device are switched.

NK-VRC User Guide (v03) Overview • 2–3
Figure 2.2 Layout showing a simplified routing switcher system with an NK-VRC
When changes are made to the configuration of a device, the changes are not activated in the device until the
configuration file containing the changes is sent to the device. You can save a configuration file, but it will not be
loaded to the device until it is sent to the device. Once a configuration file has been sent to the device, the NK-VRC
operates transparently, mapping virtual switch requests from a remote control panel to physical switch requests for
the routing switchers.
Resource Management
Resource management is a function of a router control system that enables routing of signals between different
router types (such as analog and digital). This is done by using resources to convert from one format to another
(such as an analog to digital converter).
NK-D32/75 AES/EBU
Digital Audio Routing Switcher
Internet/LAN/VPN
PC running
DashBoard
Audio out
Audio out
Server 1
Server 2
VTR 1
VTR 2
Audio in
Server 3
Audio in
Video in
Audio in
Monitor
Appropriate
NK Series
power supply
Input 1 Input 2
Input 7
Output 15
Output 20
Output 8
Audio out
Audio out
Input 5
NK-IPS
Network Bridge
Appropriate
NK Series
power supply
RCP-NKQ
Remote Control Panel
NK-3G34
Digital Video Routing Switcher
Appropriate
NK Series
power supply
Video out
Video out
Video out
Input 5
Input 13 Input 30
Video in
Output 30
Output 4
Output 9
Video in
Camera 2
Camera 1
NK Series
5 V, 2 A
power supply
Appropriate
NK Series
power supply
NK-VRC
Virtual Routing Core
Ethernet
switch
Virtual source 1
Virtual source 2
Virtual destination 1
Virtual destination 2
Virtual destination 3
Virtual source 3
Virtual source 4
Virtual source 5
Ethernet
T-BUS
T-BUS
T-BUS
T-BUS
Level 2 on VRC
Level 3 on VRC
NOTE: All T-Bus connections between NK Series devices use straight-through CAT5 cables.

2–4 • Overview NK-VRC User Guide (v03)
Resource management simplifies the operation of a router system by routing signals through a resource from one
router to another, without requiring the user to know which source and destination to which the resource is
connected. Once configured, the system will be able to automatically find the path between routers. Another
application for resource management is when a limited number of tie lines are to be shared between routers.
Multiple resources can be managed to enable more than one signal path between routers.
Figure 2.3 Example of resource management
How the Control Panels, Devices, and Routing Switchers Communicate
Switching
The control panels and devices send a virtual switch request message to the NK-VRC. The NK-VRC translates this
virtual request to physical requests, then sends these to the routing switchers. The routing switchers recognise the
requests, set the crosspoints, then send physical responses to the NK-VRC. The NK-VRC translates these physical
responses to virtual responses, then sends these to the control panels and devices.
Data Storage
The control panels and devices store information on the menu, destination, level, breakaway, and machine control
status. The routing switcher stores the crosspoint status in its internal memory. The NK-VRC stores mapping
information that correlates virtual sources and destinations with physical inputs and outputs, and the virtual status.
When the routing switcher system is powered up, the routing switcher restores its crosspoint status. The control
panels and devices request the status of the routing switcher via the NK-VRC. The NK-VRC switches the routing
switchers to match the stored virtual status, and also sends the virtual status to the control panels and devices.
Establishing the virtual status may take several minutes, especially if the mapping table has many entries for
unassigned crosspoints.
ADC
DAC
Analog Router
[Level 1]
Digital Router
[Level 2]
A
nalog Silence
Analog Source Analog Destination Digital Destination
Digital Source
Digital Silence
IP
PC running
DashBoard
NK-VRC
RCP-NKM
RCP-NKQ
NK-IPS
T-Bus
T-Bus
Ethernet
Ethernet
Analog Audio Digital Audio
NK-A16 NK-D16-72

NK-VRC User Guide (v03) Installation • 3–1
Installation
Unpacking the Equipment
On receiving your NK-VRC, check the contents against the packing list. Make sure that all equipment itemized on
the packing list is present and that there are no signs of damage before you start installing the NK-VRC into your
system.
If anything is missing or damaged, contact your Ross Video office immediately to obtain the correct warranty
service procedures. This ensures prompt assistance, minimal turnaround time, and avoids any freight issues.
We recommend that the equipment be installed by qualified and experienced personnel, to any relevant standards
and approvals.
General
These installation guidelines assume the following:
• The relevant NK Series equipment has been installed into a ventilated rack frame. The relative humidity in the
environment of the equipment should be < 70% (non-condensing).
• The routing switcher system has been well planned and designed. Consideration must be given to inputs and
outputs across multiple router levels, and typical operating scenarios for breakaways.
• Correct IP addresses have been assigned to the equipment, where required.
• The routing switchers are connected to the appropriate sources and destinations.
• All NK Series equipment connected in the routing switcher system have software v2.00 or later. Software
updates are available through Ross Video Technical Support.
• If resource management is to be used, the external resources are installed and operational as per the manufacturer
instructions.
The NK-VRC provides phantom power via the T-Bus connector to certain other NK Series devices (NK-GPI,
NK-SCP/A, NK-SCP/K2). The NK-VRC does not receive power via the T-Bus connector.
Installing the NK-VRC
The NK-VRC is powered using the power supply provided. This power supply connects directly to the AC mains
supply.
The NK-VRC may be installed anywhere within the routing switcher system using its T-Bus connectors on the rear
panel.
To connect the NK-VRC into a routing switcher system:
1. Install the NK-VRC into the rack frame, then fix in place with appropriate fasteners.
2. Connect a straight CAT5 Ethernet cable between a T-Bus connector on the rear panel of the NK-VRC and a
T-Bus connector on the rear panel of another NK Series device.
3. Connect the power supply provided to the POWER connector on the rear panel of the NK-VRC.
4. Connect the cable from the power supply to a suitable AC mains supply.
Warning — Ensure that the AC mains supply complies with the PSU specification
before making the connection.
Warning — An earthed neutral mains supply and residual current device is
recommended for safe operation.

3–2 • Installation NK-VRC User Guide (v03)
Installing DashBoard
Overview
DashBoard can be downloaded at http://www.rossvideo.com/dashboard.
DashBoard is used to configure and operate NK systems and individual NK Series devices.
For More Information on...
• DashBoard system requirements and installation, please refer to the DashBoard User Manual.
Connecting to the NK-IPS in the Routing Switcher System
Before you can set up and send a configuration document to the NK-VRC, you must connect an NK-IPS to the
NK-VRC. Once DashBoard locates the NK-IPS, the attached NK-VRC will be visible and can have configuration
documents sent to it.
By default, DashBoard attempts to auto-detect the NK-IPS on the network. If the device is not detected
automatically, the NK-IPS can be manually added using the New NK IPS Connection window in DashBoard.
For More Information on...
• automatic device discovery and manually adding a device, please refer to the section “Configuring Devices” in
the DashBoard User Manual.
• the NK-IPS Connection window, refer to the NK-IPS User Guide.
Checking the Software Version of a Device
The NK-VRC must operate with other devices that have v2.00 software or later. Software may be updated easily
using DashBoard. To check for the latest software versions, contact Ross Video Technical Support.
To check the software version of a device using DashBoard:
1. Open DashBoard and connect to the NK-IPS (see “Connecting to the NK-IPS in the Routing Switcher
System” on page 3–2).
2. In the Basic Tree View section, double-click the device for which you want to check the software version.

NK-VRC User Guide (v03) Installation • 3–3
The device tab for the selected device opens in DashBoard.
Figure 3.4 The device tab
3. In the Device Details section of the device tab, view the Version field for the current software version.
Upgrading the Software Version of the NK-VRC
Software upgrade files can be obtained by contacting Ross Video Technical Support.
To upgrade the NK-VRC software:
1. In DashBoard, click Send Firmware.
The firmware file browser opens.
2. Select software file ips22x.tfi.
3. Click Open.
The Confirm Upload dialog box opens.
4. Click Continue.
A progress bar is displayed. When the upload has completed, a confirmation box opens.
5. Click OK.

3–4 • Installation NK-VRC User Guide (v03)

NK-VRC User Guide (v03) Setting up the NK-VRC • 4–1
Setting up the NK-VRC
Overview
The NK-VRC is set up using DashBoard. An NK-IPS network bridge must be connected to the system. Use the
NK-VRC device tab in DashBoard to configure the NK-VRC.
Before setting up any parameters for the NK-VRC, ensure that all NK Series devices in the routing switcher
system have software v2.00 or later.
For More Information on...
• on checking software, see “Checking the Software Version of a Device” on page 3–2.
• on upgrading software, see “Upgrading the Software Version of the NK-VRC” on page 3–3.
Implementing Your System Plan
An effective routing switcher system requires careful planning. A complex routing switcher system can be easily
mapped using an NK-VRC. All that is required is:
• a list of all the source and destination equipment and resources, identified as virtual sources or destinations
• the inputs and outputs that are physically connected to each routing switcher
• the level of each routing switcher
If resource management is used, the following is also necessary:
• a list of the different types of resources to be used and the virtual sources and destinations to which they are
connected
• one or more virtual park sources to be used when destinations are disconnected from the resource
• if required, a list of all the panels and control devices in the system and user priority associated with each one
A simplified routing switcher system is shown in Figure 2.2; this is used as an example throughout this
configuration section.

4–2 • Setting up the NK-VRC NK-VRC User Guide (v03)
The following process for setting up the NK-VRC is recommended:
Figure 4.5 Flow chart for setting up the NK-VRC
Enable NK Series
panels, and NK-GPI
and NK-JBX (if used),
for virtual routing using
DashBoard
Update device
details
(optional)
Map physical
inputs and outputs
to virtual sources
and destinations
Set up panels with
virtual sources
and destinations
Set up resource
management